Tension controlling apparatus



1.-. s. FRYER E-'r AL TENSION C ONTROLLING APPARATUS Oct. l5, 1940.

Filed March 227. 1932 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 www@ INVENTOR v 6'. Fnvfn nw Lou/SE. Lavfrr //@wm A TTORNE Y Patented Oct. 15, 1940 TENSION CONTROLLING APPARATUS Louis S. Fryer, Cleveland, and Louis E. Lovett, Cleveland Heights, Ohio, assignors to Industrial Rayon Corporation, Cleveland,

poration of Delaware PATENT OFFICE Rossum MAY 91944 f Ohio, a cor- Application March 22, 1937, Serial No. 132,266

10 Claims. This invention relates toapparatus for controlling tensile stresses on threads and, more particularly, to apparatus adapted to tension or slacken threads which are being.coile d or other- 5 wise wound in package form. The invention is of especial value in connection with the production of viscose artificial silk thread, for which 'reason it will be shown and described in such association. However, it is to beV understood that artificial silk thread otherwise produced, as, for example, by the cuprammonium, cellulose nitrate, or cellulose acetate processes, may be handled by means of such apparatus. The invention may also be utilized in connection with the production of threads, yarns or bands of any other material, whether of synthetic or natural origin.

In the production of artificial silk thread, it is sometimes desirable to tension the thread, as, for example, to enhance the tensile strength of theproduct. At other stages in its production, it is often desirable to effect a slackening of the thread in order to relieve any tensile stresses which occur therein; for instance, in coiling or otherwise winding such thread into a package, it is desirable that the package be of relatively loose formation in order that washing, desulphurizing,

bleaching and other treating liquids may pass more readily through the windings thereof. In

either case,` it is important that the degreelof 30 uniform, this for the reason that variations may adversely affect the dyeing properties of the product. By means of 'the present invention, the

thread may be uniformly tensionedor slackened 3' to any desired degree.

Several possible applications ofthe invention are illustrated in the accompanying drawings in which Figure 1 is a front elevation of va portion of a spool-spinning machine embodying one form of apparatus of the invention.

Figure 2 is a sectional elevation on the line 2-2 of Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a horizontal section on an enlarged scale along the line 3-3 of Figure 1.

Figure 4 is a section on an enlarged scale along the line 5 4 of Figure 1.

Figure 5 is a section on an enlarged scale along theline 5-5 of Figure 1.

Figure 7 is an end elevation of the device of the sake of clearness.

tension or slackness imparted to the thread be- Figure 6 is a side elevation of a modied form Figure 6, parts being shown as broken away for A Figure 8 is a section on an enlarged scale along line 8-8 of Figure 7.

Figure 9 is a front elevation of a portion of a pot-spinning machine embodying the invention.

Figure l0 is a sectional elevation on the line 5 III-I0 of Figure 9.

Figure l1 is a horizontal section on an enlarged scale on the line II-II of Figure 10.

Figure l2 is a front elevation of a twisting `machine embodying apparatus of the invention.

Figure 13 is a sectional elevation on line |3-I3 of Figure 12.

Figure 14 is a section -on the line |4|4 of Figure 12.

.In the spool-spinning machine illustrated in Figures l and 2, the thread I5 is formed in the usual manner by coagulation of the viscose in bath I6, the viscose being extruded from spinneret I'I by pump I8. In conventional vspinning machines, the thread is ordinarily collected' im- 20 mediately upon a spool mounted upon driven shaft I9. In accordance with the present invention, the thread, before being wound upon collecting roller 20, passes over pressure roller 2|, under driven roller 22, and partially around idler roller 23. As hereinafter pointed out, the apparatus is so arranged that the thread may be wound upon collecting roller 20 with the same degree of tension or of slackness that characterizes it while it is passing varound idler roller '23.

Pressure roller 2| is provided in order to prevent slippage of the thread, which is looped around substantially the entire surface of driven roller 22. Withdrawal of the thread from the coagulating bath I6 being effected by driven roller 22, slippage of the thread thereon must be avoided if a uniform product is to be obtained. Pressure roller 2| operates to prevent slippage by applying the thread to driven roller 22 `with va high degree of pressure. The resulting friction between the thread and driven roller 22 assures a positive and uniform pull on the thread.

' As shown in Figure 5, pressure roller 2| includes a cylindrical body 30, preferably made of rubber or some other resilient material, suitably mounted upon shaft 3 I. Secured as by screw threads upon the free end'of shaft 3| is an end piece 32 which may conveniently be of metal. The. exterior of end piece 32 is of frusta-conical formation and 50 merges into the contiguous portion of cylindrical body 30. Shaft 3| is rotatable in antifriction bearings 33 carried in a protecting housing 34 supported by bracket 35 from the frame of the machine, Collars 36 secured to shaft 3| on opposite sides of bearing 33 prevent endwise movement of the shaft.

To make driven roller 22 as light as .possible consistent with the requisite amount of strength, it is preferably of hollow construction as shown in Figure 5. To this end, a cylindrical sleeve 25 is mounted upon end pieces 26 and 21 and secured thereto by screws 28. End piece 21 has a frustoconical surface the outer portion of the base of which is of the same, diameter as the exterior of cylindrical sleeve 25. In order that the surface of cylindrical sleeve 25 may be flush with the outer portions .of endpieces 25 and 21, the receiving portions of these end pieces are formed in each case with a rabbet in which such sleeve seats. Shaft I9 passes centrally through end pieces 26 and 21 and is secured to end piece 21 by a set screw 29. Roller 22 is so mounted upon shaft I9 that frusto-conical end piece,21 is presented to the operator at the front ofthe inachine.

As shown in Figure 4, idler roller 23 may have substantially the same construction as driven roller 22. In the case of idler roller 23, however, end pieces 38 and 39 project outward beyond the periphery of cylindrical sleeve 40 to form what are in effect flanges 4I and 42 of` equal diameter. The -outer portion of end piece 39 near the base thereof is of the same diameter as flange 4|.

face vof driven roller 22. 'Contact with driven roller 22 serves to drive idler roller 23.

Shaft 43, upon which end pieces 38 and 39 are mounted, is preferably supported between the arms 44a and 44h of a pivoted bracket 44. Bracket 44 is carried on a shaft 45 secured to a longitudinal rail 31 forming part of the framework of the spinning machine. To assemble idler roller 23 in position between the arms of bracket 44, the roller is first positioned between the arms after which the shaft 43 is thrust in place. Set screw 46, mounted in end piece 39, serves to prevent endwise movement of shaft 43 and thereby retains idler roller 23 in position. The pivotal mounting of bracket 44 permits idler roller 23 to move up and down to compensate for inaccuracies in the mounting or in the surfaces of rollers 22 and 23 and further facilitates threading up of the rollers as hereinafter explained.

Due to the fact that the surface of cylindrical sleeve 40 is of smaller diameter than flanges 4| and 42, the surface of cylindrical sleeve 40 moves at a slower peripheral speed than the surfaces of, flanges 4| and 42. The surfaces of flanges 4| and 42 move at the same linear speed as the surface of cylindrical sleeve 25 of' roller 22 in consequence ofthe direct contact between these surfaces. As a result of this relationship, the surface of cylindrical sleeve 40 moves at a slower peripheral speed than the peripheral vspeed of the surface of cylindrical sleeve 25. Consequently, in the operation of rollers 22 and 23 thread will be delivered from the surfaceof driven roller 22 at a greater speed than it will be taken up by the surface of idler roller 23 and tension in the thread will be'relieved. 4In this manner, it is possible to relieve the thread yof tension placed upon Ait as it is drawn from The peripheries of flanges 4| and v 42 are adapted to bear upon the cylindrical surpermit the passage of fluid through cylindrical sleeve 41 and through the layers of thread collected thereon in the Washing, desulphurizing, bleaching or other treating of the thread. Cylindrical sleeve 41 may be removably attached to end pieces 49 and 56 and prior to liquid processing of the thread may be removed therefrom exactly as the ordinary spool is removed for such purposes. End piece 50 has a frusto-conical surface and is fastened to shaft 52 by set screw 5|.

The ends of shaft 52 of collecting roller 20 are mounted in brackets 53 and 54. Bracket 53 is fastened to rail 31, while bracket 64 depends from a rail 51 extending longitudinally of the spinning machine. Upwardly opening slots 55 and 56 in these brackets receive vthe ends of shaft 52. In locating collecting roller 20 between placed upon end piece 50,'after which end piece l49 is passed over shaft 52 and brought into contact with cylindrical sleeve 41. This assembly is then dropped in place between the brackets 53 and 54. Inasmuch as collecting roller 20 closely ts the space between, the'brackets, separation of end pieces 49 and 50 will be prevented and the parts of collecting roller 20 maintained in assembled relation.

Upwardly opening slots 55 and 56 permit rapid removal from brackets 53 and 54 of the assembly including collecting roller 20 and enable an empty collecting roller upon which fresh thread may be collected to be quickly placed in position. These slots furthermore permit'collecting roller 20 to move upward upon increase in the thickness of the package of thread. Also, any inaccuracies which exist in the mounting or formation of`collecting roller 20 or idler roller 23 will be compensated for by vertical slots 55 and 56.

Flanges 4| and 42 of idler roller 23 should be l far enough apart to permit the surface of cylindrical sleeve 41 of collecting roller 20 to come into contact with the surface of cylindrical sleeve 40 of idler roller 23. This permits the frustoconical surface of end piece 50 of collecting roller 20 to clear the surface of flange 42 of idler roller 23. The surface of cylindrical `sleeve 25 of driven roller 22 should be sufciently long to contact with flanges 4I and 42 of idler roller 23. When assembled, the front ends of rollers 20, 2|, 22, and 23 should preferably lie Within approximately the same vertical plane, as shown in Figure 2.

Brackets 54 and 44 are mounted upon opposite sides of collecting roller 20 and idler roller 23. These brackets are disposed in this manner so as to leave free of any obstruction that side of the collecting roller 20 and that side of idler roller 23 which is moving upward. The arrows in Figure 1 illustrate this relationship. This arrangement makes it possible for the operator in threading 'up the rollers to bring his hand freely around that side of the collecting roller 20 or idler roller 23 with which the thread is to contact.

The frusto-conical ends of the several rollers facilitate threading up when operations are being started. v'After an empty cylindrical sleeve 41 has .been placed between end pieces 49 and 50 of collecting roller 20 in readiness for. the collection of thread, the thread is drawn from coagulating bath I6 and is rapidly passed around the conical ends of rollers 2|, 22 and 23 and collecting roller 20. Thus the thread is withdrawn from coagulating bath I6, passed over the frustoconical portion of pressure roller 2|, and brought down between pressure roller 2| and driven roller portions of the rollers to the cylindrical portionsv 22. The thread is then brought around the under side ofthe frusto-conical portion of driven roller 22, and upward betweendrlven roller 22 and idler roller 23. It is next led around the side of idler roller 23 opposite bracket M, over idler roller 23, and into contact with the side of the frusto-conical portion of collecting roller 20 opposite bracket 54. Rotation of the rollers advances the thread from one to the other and winds it upon the frusto-conical portion of collecting roller 20.

The operation of threading up the rollers could be accomplished if lthe frusto-conical surfaces above described were not present but somewhat less readily than if frusto-conical surfaces are employed, this in consequence of the contact which exists between the cylindrical surfaces of the several rollers as a result of the fact that they bear directly upon each other. The frustoconical formation of the ends of the several rollers not only permits the operator access between them to enable him tc place the thread upon their surfaces, but also provides'an entrance surface over which the thread may be conducted While being led to the cylindrical portions of the several rollers. 'Ihe threading up operation is also facilitated bythe disposition of brackets N and 5d on opposite sides of the rollers which they respectively support.

Io bring the thread from the frusto-conical thereof the thread may conveniently be hooked in the eye 58 of conventional traverse arm 56. Inasmuch as, the limits of travel ,of eye 58 correspond to the ends of the package of thread which is to be built up on collecting roller 20, the thread will be advanced back and forth only along the cylindrical portion of pressure roller 2|.

The thread will be wound on collecting roller 26 in the manner in which i-t is laid upon pressure roller 2|, since the wet thread cannot slip sidewise across the several rollers.

As the thread builds up on the surface of sleeve 41 of collecting roller 2D, the thread is at all times in contact with the surface of cylindrical sleeve 4|! of idler roller 23,' so that the package of thread and therefore collecting roller. 26 are rotated. Due to this direct contact, -the surface of the package of thread moves at the same peripheral speed as the peripheral speed of the surface, of cylindrical sleeve 40 of idler roller 23. Because of this relationship, the thread is collected on the package at the same speed with which it is supplied from idler roller 23.

The thread is consequentlyswcund upon sleeve d1 of collecting roller 20 with the same degree of tension or slackness that it has in passing around idler roller 23, this being that which is imparted to the thread in passing between rollers 22 'and 23. To decrease the tension in the thread being collected on sleeve 4l of collecting roller 20 the diameter of flanges 4| and 42 may be in-l creased or the diameter of cylindrical sleeve 40 of idler roller 23 decreased; to increase it, the vdiameter of flanges 4| and' 42 may be decreased or the diameter of cylindrical sleeve 40 increased.

In the modification of the invention illustrated in Figures 6 and 7, -two idler rollers 6| and 62 are located between driven roller 63 and collecting roller 64. Idler roller 62 and collecting roller 64 Y have the same general formation and relation to each other as idler roller 23 and collecting roller 26 in Figures 1 and 2, idlerroller 62 having flanges Y 65 at both ends of its cylindrical surface. Bracket 4the side of idler roller mounted upon rail 61 extending longitudinally lof tha-t portion of the periphery of said roller which is not contacted by the thread. In this manner, obstruction to the passage of the thread in the threading up operation is eliminated.

Bracket 68 for the front end of collecting roller 64 is disposed upon the side thereof opposite 62 onl which bracket 66 is mounted.

Idler roller 6| is formed similarly to driven roller 22 of Figures 1 and 2 in that it is not provided with flanges. It is rotated through contact with driven roller 63. To support idler roller 6|, a pivoted bracket 69 is mounted upon a rail l0 which corresponds generally to rail 3l in Figures 1 and 2. Bracket 69 is mounted upon the side of idler roller 6| upon which is mounted bracket 68 for,collecting roller 64 with the result that bracket 69 is on the downwardly` moving side of idler roller 6|.

vDriven roller 63 may be mounted upon shaft |9 of Figures 1 and 2. In contrast with vdriven roller 22, however, driven roller-63 isprovided at opposite ends of its cylindrical surface withl latter maybe supported in a manner similar to pressure roller 2| in Figures 1 and 2 and may be of similar construction. The conical end portion 'I3 of pressure roller 12, must, however, be of suflciently small diameter at'itsbase to prevent interference with the flange 1| at the front end of driven roller 63.' This relationship is shown in detail in Figure 8.

The cylindrical surfacev of idler roller 6| bears -directly upon flanges of driven roller 63 and through this frictional contact idler roller 6| is rotated. Because of this contact, the cylindrical surface of idler roller 6| will have a greater peripheral speed than the cylindrical surface of driven roller 63 and as a result'l the thread passing between these two rollers will'be placed under tension. By varying the ratio between the diameter of flanges 1| and the diameter ofthe cylindrical surface of driven roller 63, any'desired degree of tension may be imparted to the thread. This arrangement may be used in cases in which it is desirable to stretch the thread immediately after coagulation.

In passing from idler roller 6| to idler roller 62, the thread is relieved of tension due to the fact that the cylindrical surface of. idler roller 62 is of smaller diameter than the diameter `of its end flanges 65. By properly proportioning the ratio between the cylindrical surface f idler.

, driven roller 63 to idler roller 6|. In this manner,

although subjected to a stretching operation, the thread gathered on collecting roller 64 forms a loose winding through which treating fluids may easily be passed.

Since rollers 6I and 62 are idler rollers, it is not necessary that they be of any predetermined diameter. To eirect a desired tensioning or slackening of the thread, a different proportioning ofthe flanges of the roller with respect to its cylindrical surface is all that is required. For A height of the machine as shown in Figures 1 and 2 is necessary in order to accommodate several idler rollers.

Figures 9 and 10 show a pot-spinning machine embodying the invention. Thread is supplied from some suitable source such as spinnerets 4andV spin troughs similar to those appearing in enlarged surface 18 of -roller 11 being in engagement with the reduced surface 19 of roller 16 and the surfaces 80 and 8| of rollers 11 and 16, respectively, receiving the thread. 'I'hese thread bearing surfaces 80 and 8| are so related to engaging surfaces 18 and 19 that the surfaces 80 and 8| are spaced from each other, a short length of free thread extending between them. Due to the relation between the engaging and the thread bearing surfaces of rollers 16 and 11, surface 9| moves at a higher peripheral speed than the peripheral speed of surface 80 with the result that thread passing between these two surfaces is tensioned. By increasing the diameter 19 of roller 16 and correspondingly decreasing the diameter-of engaging surface 18 of roller 11, the

' peripheral speed of roller 1'1 will be increased with respect to that of roller 16, which is positively driven in the manner illustrated, and hence the tension in the thread passing therebetween may be increased.

As shown, roller 16 is supported upon a positively driven shaft 82 passing through a bearing in the frame 83 of the spinning machine. Shaft'84, upon which roller 11 is rotatably mounted, is carried by a bearing block 85. Bearing block 85 has grooves 81 therein enabling it to flt between opposite walls of a vertical slot 86 formed in the frame 83. This method of mounting permits an up-and-down movement of roller 11, compensating for inaccuracies in the engaging surfaces 19 and 18 of rollers 16 and 11 respectively and assuring frictional engagement between them.

In Figures 12, 13 and 14, the invention is shown as applied to a twisting machine. Thread 88 fromthe rapidly rotating spool 89 is twisted and collected upon bobbin 90. The thread is drawn from the spool by means of a driven roller'9l carried upon a shaft 92 extending longitudinally ofthe twisting machine. Between the bobbin90 and driven roller 9| is an idler roller 93 having a central cylindrically shaped surface 94 and end flanges 95. End flanges 95 bear upon the surface of driven roller 9|, driving idlerroller 93.

The surface of bobbin 90 or the surface of the package of thread which is wound thereon, as the case may be, bears on the cylindrical surface 94.

Due to this contact, bobbin 90 is rotated. Surface 94 of idler roller 93 is rotated at a lower peripheral speed than the surface of driven roller 9| due to the presence of driving flanges 95 and as a result thread passing from driven roller 9| to idler roller 93 is relieved of tension. Inasmuch as the surface of bobbin 90 or the surface of the package of thread thereon, as the case may be, will be rotated sat the same speed as surface 94, the thread is delivered to thezbobbin 90 in untensioned condition.

To prevent slippage of thread on driven roller Aside of driven roller 9|.

9|, the thread is forcibly applied to driven roller 9| by means of pressure roller 96. The presence of pressure roller 96 dispenses with the necessity of securing the long arc of contact between the thread and driven roller 9| that would otherwise be necessary to prevent slippage of the thread upon driven roller 9|. Difficulty would be experienced, in attempting to obtain such along arc of contact, in passing the thread around the under Such difnculty results from the presence of shaft 92 throughout the length of the twisting machine.

The respective shafts of idler roller 93, pressure roller 96 and bobbin 90 are carried upon brackets 91 and 98 on opposite sides thereof. The shaft 99 of bobbin 90 is carried in vertical slots at the uppermost part of brackets 91 and 98, such slots being of sulcient depth to permit the surface of bobbin 90 to come into direct contact with surface 94 as well as to permit shaft 99 to rise to the highest point to which it will be forced when the package of thread is thickest. Shaft |0| of idler roller 93 is carried in slots in brackets 91 and 98 having a vertical portion |02 and an inclined portion |03 leading to the forward edges of the brackets 91 and 98. 'Ihe vertical portion |02 of the slot permits a limited up-anddown movement of roller 93 to compensate for inaccuracies in the erection of the machine and inclined portion |03 facilitates positioning of the shaft.

Shaft |04 of pressure roller 96 is carried in slots |05 of the brackets 91 and 98, slots |05 being located in such close relation to shaft 92 that the surface of pressure roller 96 bears of its own weight upon thel surface of driven roller 9 I.

In threading up the twisting machine, the parts are preferably in a condition of rest, since this facilitates the threading up operation. Pressure roller 96 and idler roller 93 are first removed from brackets 91 and 98. Thread is then drawn from the spool 89 and passed through stationary eye |06, over slide bar |01 and through the guide eye |08. The thread is then wound with a few turns around bobbin 90 and the bobbin 90 allowed to fall to the lowest point permitted by slots |00. Idler.roller 93 is then positioned between driven roller 9| and bobbin 90 by locating the ends of its shaft |0| in the slot portion |02. Shaft |04 of pressure roller 96 is then dropped into slots |05 to bring the thread forcibly against the surface of roller 9|. The machine may then be set in operation.

The several embodiments of the invention which have been disclosed are intended to be representative of the various arrangements'available in carrying out the invention. Thus the structural details appearing here are intended to be illustrative of the invention and not limitations upon its scope. The term thread as used in the appended claims comprehends not only thread per se, but such materials as filament bundles, ribbons, bands, artificial horsehair, artificial straw, and, in fact, materials of all kinds capable of being handled by the` apparatus to which the invention relates. It is intended that the patent shall cover, by suitable expression in the appended claims, whatever features of patentable novelty reside in the invention.

What is claimed is: l

1. Apparatus for handling a relatively delicate thread at a linear speed which is substantially constant at given positions inthe apparatus comprising means for supplying the thread; means towhich the thread passes; and, disposedbethat its thread-bearing surface is out of contact with that of the first-named rotatable member, of which rotatable members at least one has associated therewith a driving portion which differs in diameter from the thread-bearing surface thereof, contacts and has driving engagement with the other of said rotatable members so that 'the peripheral speeds of the thread-bearing surfaces of said rotatable members are different, the thread first engaging the thread-bearing surface of the positively rotated member-and thereafter contacting the thread-bearing surface of the other rotatable member in such manner that the thread-bearing surfaces of said rotatable members move in the direction of travel of the thread.

2. Apparatus for handling a relatively delicate thread comprising means for supplying thread at a substantially constant linear speed; means for collecting the thread in package form; and, disposed between said thread-supplying means and said thread-collecting means, means for changing the tension in the thread including a positively driven rotatable member the thread-bearing surface of which-is circular in cross-section and, in contact therewith and driven therefrom, another rotatable member of circular cross-section so disposed that its'thread-bearing surface is out of contact with that of therst-named rotatable member, of which rotatable members at least one has associated therewith a driving portion which differs in diameter from the thread-bearing surface thereof, contacts and has driving engagement with the'other of said rotatable members so that the peripheral speeds of the thread-bearing surfaces of said rotatable members are different, the thread rst engaging the thread-bearing surface of the positively driven memberand thereafter contacting the thread-bearing surface of the other rotatable member in such manner that the thread-bearing surfaces of said rotatable members move in the direction of travel of the thread.

3. Tension controlling apparatus comprising rotatable members providing cylindrical thread bearing surfaces out of contact with each other, one of said members having a flanged enlargement extending into driving engagement with another of the members, and associated with s'aid rotatable members conically shaped end portions merging into the driving portions thereof to enable passage of thread through said driving portions to said thread bearing portions.

4. Apparatus for collecting thread comprising two rotatable members each of which has a thread-bearing surface of circular cross section and an associated driving portion, the driving portion of at least one of which rotatable members is of a diameter which differs from that of the thread-bearing surface thereof, said rotatable members being mounted so that their threadbearing surfaces do not contact while the driving portions do contact to provide driving engagement, the thread thereby contacting the threadbearing surfaces of both of said rotatable members in succession in such manner that the threadbearing surfaces of said rotatable members move in the direction 'of travel of the thread; a core on which the thread is collected in package form mounted to bear against and have driving engagement with the thread-bearing surface of the last of said rotatable `members contacted by the thread; and a reciprocatory traverse guide which engages the thread before it passes to the rst of said rotatable members contacted by the thread and is mounted in close proximity thereto.

5. Apparatus for collecting thread comprising two rotatable` members each of which has a thread-bearing surface of circular cross section and an associated driving portion, the driving por'- tion of at least one of which-rotatable members is of a diameter which differs from that of the thread-bearing` surface thereof, said rotatable ,members beingmounted so that their thread- [members move in the direction of travel of the thread; a core on which the thread is collected in package form mounted in close proximity to the last rotatable member contacted by the thread ;l and a reciprocatory traverse guide which engages the thread before it passes to the first of said rotatable members contacted by the thread and is mounted in close proximity thereto.

6. Apparatus for collecting thread comprising a first rotatable member which has a longitudinally extending generally cylindrical thread-bearing surface; a second rotatable member which has a longitudinally extending generally cylindrical thread-bearing surface and portions of a diameter larger than that of said thread-bearing surface at the endsthereof which contact said rstmentioned rotatable member and have driving engagement therewith so that the thread-bearing surfaces of both said rotatable members are maintained out of contact with each other and move at different peripheral speeds; and a core on which the thread is wound vin package form mounted to bear against and have driving engagement with the thread-bearing surface of said second rotatable member between the enlarged portions thereof.

7. Apparatus for collecting thread comprising a first rotatable member which has Va longitudinally extending gener-ally cylindrical threadbearing surface; which has a longitudinally extending generally cylindrical thread-bearing surface and portions of a diameter Alarger than that of said threadbearing surface at the ends thereof which contact said first-mentioned rotatable member and have driving engagement therewith so that the thread-bearing surfaces of -both said rotatable members are maintained out of contact with each other and .move at different peripheral speeds; a core on which the thread is wound in package form mounted to bear against and have driving engagement with the thread-bearing surface of said second rotatable member between the enlarged portions thereof; a reciprocatory traverse a second rotatable member' guide which engages the thread before it passes able member between the enlarged portions thereof.

8. Apparatus for collecting thread comprising a plurality of rotatable members, of which successive rotatable members contact and are in driving engagement, which rotatable members the thread contacts in succession so that the surface of each of said rotatable mem-bers contacted by the thread moves in the direction of travel of the thread, the last of which rotatable members constitutes a collecting device for collecting the thread in package form, each of said rotatable members having a longitudinally extending thread-bearing surface of circular cross section,r

at least one of which rotatable members has spaced, flange portions thereon of a diameter larger than that of the thread-bearing surface of said rotatable member and contacts an adiacent rotatable member so that the thread-bearing surfaces of said adjacent rotatable members are 'maintained out of contact with each other and move at different peripheral speeds; a reciprocatory traverse guide which engages the thread before it passes to the first of said rotatable members; and means for reciprocating said traverse guide through a path such that the thread moves longitudinally over the thread-bearing surface of said flanged rotatable member between the flange portions thereof.

9. Apparatus for collecting thread comprising a plurality of rotatable members of which successive members contact and are in driving engagement, the thread contacting in succession said rotatable members so that the surface of each of said rotatable members moves in the direction of travel of the thread, each of said rotatable members having a longitudinally extending generally cylindrical thread-bearing surface at least one of which rotatable members comprises spaced flange portions at the ends of its thread-bearing surface, said flange portions contacting and being in driving engagement with an adjacent rotatable member, whereby the thread-bearing portions of said adjacent rotatable members are maintained out of contact with each other and move at diierent peripheral speeds; a reciprocatory traverse guide engaging the thread before it passes to the first of said rotatable members; means for reciprocating said traverse guide through a path such that the thread moves longitudinally over the thread-bearing surface of said flanged rotatable member between the flange portions of said rotatable member; and a rotatable core mounted in close proximity to the last of said rotatable members for collecting the thread in cross wound package form.

10. Tension-controlling apparatus comprising two rotatable members each having a threadbearing surface of substantially circular cross section one of whichrotatable members has an enlarged portion of a diameter larger than that of the thread-bearing surface of said rotatable mem- Louis s. FRYER. LOUIS E. LovE'rr; 

